Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: How to Prepare for International Pet Travel

Bags packed? Check. Pet friendly hotels
researched and reserved? Check. Fido's passport
ready? Wait a minute - a passport for your pet?
Maybe. We know it takes some preparation to
travel with your pet, but if you're planning a
trip overseas there are some extra bases to cover
in order to be ready. Here's how to make your
international adventure with Fido go as smoothly
as paws-ible.

Know Before You Go

If your heart's set on the perfect destination,
it's very important to make sure that your
country of choice will allow your pet to
accompany you. The United Kingdom has a strict
quarantine policy for pets arriving from
countries that do not fall under their Pet Travel
Scheme. (if you're coming from the US or Canada,
you do). The Pet Travel Scheme requires that
pets be microchipped, vaccinated, tested and
certified - a process that takes up to six
months. Guam and many islands in the Caribbean
also quarantine pets, so it's imperative to
determine the country's pet travel guidelines and
then contact their individual consulate(s). The
country consulates have all of the information
that you will need and are generally very
helpful. For more information on how to reach
embassies and consulates, please visit the US
Department of State at http://www.usembassy.gov.

Pet Passport Required

Planning on going to Europe? If you're headed to
one of these countries in the European Union,
you'll need to have a passport for your dog, cat,
or ferret. You can get a passport from your vet,
given that your pet's rabies vaccination is up to
date. Your vet will also need to complete a
health certificate and show proof that all
vaccinations are up-to-date. This testing
process must begin at least three months before
you travel, so plan ahead.

The EU is currently the only place that mandates
a pet passport. For more information, the
European Commission website contains a
comprehensive list of regulations and forms that
you will need to be in compliance.

Other Pet Travel Documentation

Most destinations will require an International
Certificate of Pet Health or CFIA health
certificate. You can get this from your vet or
from the embassy of the country you're going to
visit. Here are some other things to keep in
mind:

- Find out whether or not your destination
requires that your pet's documentation be
translated into the language of the country that
you're visiting.

- Some countries, such as Ireland, have
additional vaccination and testing requirements,
such as tick or tapeworm treatments. Be sure to
have this additional information with you if it's
required to avoid having your pet quarantined at
the border.

- You may need the original paperwork that came
with your pet's rabies vaccination.

- Get a doctor's letter detailing your need for
your service or therapy animal. It's often
required in order to get access to places where
animals are otherwise not allowed.

It's also important to note that your pet needs
to be easily identifiable. If Fido's not
currently microchipped, it might not be a bad
idea to do it now. Although not all countries
require it, the European Union is making it
mandatory for all pets coming into their
countries starting July 2011. Even if
international pet travel isn't in your immediate
future plans, microchipping can ensure the health
and safety of your beloved companion in the event
that the two of you are separated.

Don't be intimidated by all of the documentation
and requirements. The key to success is through
research and planning ahead. If you never leave
home without your pet, a trip abroad shouldn't
put a damper on this special tradition.

----------------------------------------------------
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of
TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel
site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet
travel. Kim is a veteran of the travel industry -
formerly serving as Director of Internet
Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her mission is
to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe
in their travels. Visit her company website at
http://www.tripswithpets.com

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